Reloading question for a semi-auto 308 using military brass.

[wink_man]

I recently picked up a very pristine Remington 7400 in 308, I'd say less than 40 rounds through the gun.

I have 300 military cases headstamped 'wra 67', small based resized, and 3 boxes of Hornady Interlock 150 grain flat based bullets.

I've never reloaded for a semi auto, and have been told you need a faster burning powder for the action to operate properly.

Since I need to purchase powder and primers, I'm looking for suggestions on a powder that will burn clean and is fast enough(?) to reliably cycle the action in military cases, and still give decent velocity.

Does anyone load for a semi with military cases? I'm looking for the right powder, and starting/max loads in military cases. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

[Sweetwater]

You are correct about using quicker powders for the sake of working the action.

Years ago, my Dad loaded 150gr bullets for my Uncle's autoloader and he used 47gr of IMR4320 and 46gr of IMR4895 with standard cases. My Speer#12 Reloading Manual says to drop standard loads by 5% when using Military brass and go from there. That would be 44.6gr/IMR4320 and 43.7gr/IMR4895 for Military cases using Dad's loads.
Interestingly enough, my Speer#13 Reloading Manual makes the same statement to reduce standard loads by 5% when using Military brass, and then goes on to state their brass had a Mil-Spec therefore no reduction was necessary. The #12 and #13 Manuals carry the same loads for the same given powders.

I recently acquired a Remington 742 chambered in 308W from an old Pal from high school, class of '68. 

I stripped and cleaned the rifle as my Pal said it wouldn't cycle and he'd never gotten it to shoot 2 rounds in a row.

Using standard Winchester and Remington brass, I used 45.5gr of H4895Extreme, 150gr Remington PSPCL, and CCI200 primers. The action worked flawlessly. It fired as quick as I could work the trigger. That would translate to 43.2gr/H4895Extreme for Military cases.

This should give you a platform to work from to discover what your 7400 "likes". Hope it helps.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[wink_man]

Thanks for the reply and info Sweetwater. I was thinking along the lines of 4895/4064, just wanted to make sure I was on the right wavelength, and thanks for the load info, appreciate the time you took for the detailed response.

[Bornsouthern34]

Wink_man,

I use 4895 with my AR-10 as well as 3031. Those are the best I have found as far as pressure to fps matter. However, word of caution. I have had issues with about 1 out of 10 of my once fired military cases. My guess is that they came from a sloppy M-60. Anyway, my Rock Chucker misses the last 1/2 cm of the case causing issues. Some of the ones that would not chamber were only a mere 2/1000's over factory specs but still would not go. Others were as much as 5/1000's. After hand pressing (using a bottle jack) they came back in line and I have been good to go.

[Sweetwater]

That would indicate the possible need for a small base sizing die - yes, no? It's not unusual for an autoloader to need a small base die. I just got lucky with mine, so far....

Regards,
Sweetwater

[james25889]

i use imr 4064  43.9 gr with 150 gr hornadys but i was using commercial brass

[Doug B.]

That would indicate the possible need for a small base sizing die - yes, no? It's not unusual for an autoloader to need a small base die. I just got lucky with mine, so far....

Regards,
Sweetwater

My Browning 30-06 BAR did not like standard dies AT ALL! I would say that about one in three would not chamber properly. After purchasing a small base die, my rifle has performed flawlessly.

[Mikey]

Wink:  4895, 4064 and 3031 are all faster burning powders that are used successfully in the 308 for both accuracy loadings and factory duplication loadings.  If you can find a older (or even newer) Lyman Reloading manual it should list accuracy loadings with those powders that should function your 7400 properly and will also tell you which powders and with what specific loadings will give you factory duplication loads.  HTH.

[Bornsouthern34]

Most of the reloading data is on the web now and would keep you from buying a book. As for the small base die, I grew up resizing brass with a bottle jack and a true full length resizer made at a machine shop. The old man's M-1 would not shoot anything but factory specked ammo. Kinda gotten used to it over the years.

[kiddekop]

In 1969 I bought a belgium made Browning Semiauto 30-06 Rifle for $169 & change from Sears Roebuck in San Bernardino,CA and an RCBS reloading manual for semiautos and lever actions which listed powders,bullets and the need to use a small base sizer die.My powder of choice was IMR 4895,I never had any chambering or firing problems with my  handloads.

[Sweetwater]

I should think that RCBS manual would be a great addition to the library.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[Sourdough]

My wife shoots a Remington 7400, and I shoot a 7600.  I use small base dies, and IMR 3031 with CCI primers for both with no problem.  I also use military brass, got a whole life time supply from salvage at one buy many years ago.  Have had no issues with any of these components.  As for bullets, I myself use Nosler 180gr partitions.  My wife uses Barnes 250gr in her gun.

[Doug B.]

Since I need to purchase powder and primers, I'm looking for suggestions on a powder that will burn clean and is fast enough(?) to reliably cycle the action in military cases, and still give decent velocity.

Wink....Sorry I didn't get to your initial question until now. Just re-read your post and I apologize.

I don't reload for .308. I load for my BAR 30-06 with the following using non military brass:

48.5 gr. of IMR 4895 Under a 165 gr. Hornady BTSP Interlock. The MAX according to Lyman's 45th edition with no apparent signs of excessive pressure whatsoever. I would recommend trying The IMR 4895, working up to a satisfactory load for your .308. I would think it should work quite well for you.

My '06 shoots really well using the mentioned combination

Let us know what you found and good luck!

[nrb]

Reloading for Rem autos for several decades using all types of cases, bullets, powders, etc. I use a standard 30-06 FULL resize die with never a problem of case size. Never had a need for small base resizing. For my hunting, I prefer 150gr bullets of several makers. As far as powders, the BEST accuracy I found was with slower powders, IMR 4350 and H414. These work fine in Rem autos but are slow for Garands. Faster powders are OK but not the accuracy of slower powders. Also, I have hundreds of U.S. military brass from the '50s that I still use, given proper primer cup sizing, good care, etc. I am more skeptical of foreign military brass given their use of corrosive primers.

best,          nrb

[Redtail1949]

you are on to it..4895 or 4064 powder..small base dies (I know many have shot many rounds with a full lenght resize and swear they need nothing more..) to ensure failure to feed wiill not be because of brass..

should make a fine hunting rifle